J. Kenji López-Alt - Fudgy Crackle-Top Brownies | Kenji's Cooking Show
Kenji demonstrates a brownie recipe that combines elements from Stella Parks' and Deb Pearlman's recipes. The key to achieving a glossy top on the brownies is thoroughly beating the eggs with sugar until they form smooth, glossy ribbons. This step is crucial as it incorporates air into the batter, which helps the brownies puff up during baking and then settle into a dense, fudgy texture as they cool. Kenji uses unsweetened chocolate and a significant amount of butter to enhance the flavor and texture. He advises using white sugar to maintain the glossy top, as brown sugar can draw moisture and cause a matte finish. The brownies are baked at 325°F until a toothpick comes out clean, and they should be allowed to cool to achieve the desired fudgy consistency.
Key Points:
- Beat eggs and sugar thoroughly for a glossy brownie top.
- Use white sugar to prevent a matte finish.
- Incorporate unsweetened chocolate and ample butter for rich flavor.
- Bake at 325°F until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Allow brownies to cool for a dense, fudgy texture.
Details:
1. 🍫 Introduction to Brownie Recipe
- The recipe is a combination of two favorite recipes: Stella Parks's glossy brownie from Sirus Eats and Deb Pearlman's favorite brownie recipe.
- Stella's brownie recipe is served at the restaurant Worst Hall in San Mato, under the name Stella's brownies.
- Stella Parks's recipe is known for its glossy, fudgy texture, while Deb Pearlman's recipe is celebrated for its rich flavor profile.
- The decision to combine these recipes aims to merge the best of both worlds, offering a unique taste experience that maximizes fudginess and flavor richness.
2. 🔪 Preparing the Baking Pan
- Start with an 8x8 inch pan and spray it with nonstick spray to prevent sticking.
- Cut a piece of parchment paper to fit the width of the pan, allowing it to hang over the edges for easy lifting.
- Use silicone-coated parchment paper to ensure easy removal of baked goods.
- The nonstick spray combined with parchment paper makes it simpler to remove the final product from the pan.
3. 🥚 Mixing Eggs and Sugar for Glossy Texture
3.1. Ingredient Selection for Glossy Texture
3.2. Mixing Technique for Glossy Brownies
4. 🍫 Melting Chocolate and Butter to Perfection
- Use a big pinch of salt, approximately half a teaspoon, to enhance the flavor of the chocolate and butter mixture.
- Incorporate a couple of teaspoons of vanilla, measuring generously, as suggested by Deb Pearlman, to add depth to the flavor profile.
- Beat eggs and sugar until they form smooth, glossy ribbons at medium speed, ensuring a well-integrated mixture that will support the melted chocolate and butter.
- Add 4 oz of unsweetened chocolate; if substituting with bittersweet chocolate (72-75%), reduce sugar in the egg mixture by 1 oz to balance sweetness.
- Avoid common mistakes such as overheating or allowing water to come into contact with the chocolate, which can cause it to seize. Use a double boiler for controlled melting, or carefully use a microwave in short bursts, stirring frequently.
5. 🥄 Combining Ingredients for Rich Batter
- Utilize 225g (8 oz) of butter, which is a significant component contributing to flavor.
- Simmer water gently to avoid overheating chocolate and causing it to seize.
- Constantly stir the mixture until the chocolate and butter are nearly melted, then remove from heat to finish melting off-heat.
- Ensure the egg mixture achieves a 'ribbony' texture, forming nice ribbons as an indicator of readiness. This texture is crucial for integrating air and achieving the desired consistency in the final batter.
6. 🍰 Baking and Texture Transformation
6.1. Mixing Techniques
6.2. Baking Insights and Texture Transformation
7. ⏰ Cooling, Cutting, and Serving Tips
- Bake brownies at 325°F for about 30 minutes until a knife or toothpick comes out clean.
- Ensure internal brownie temperature reaches 200-205°F for doneness.
- Cool brownies for at least 30 minutes to achieve a fudgier texture, or overnight for optimal results.
8. 📚 Personal Touch: Recipe Sharing and Variations
- The speaker prepared brownies for a personal family event, illustrating the connection between homemade treats and family occasions.
- They combined elements from Stella Parks's 'BraveTart' and Deb Perelman's recipes to create a unique brownie version, showcasing the value of integrating established recipes for new creations.
- The plan to share their own recipe along with links to Stella and Deb's recipes encourages others to experiment and personalize their cooking.
- Key qualities to focus on when baking brownies include achieving a glossy shiny top and a fudgy texture, which are emphasized in their recipe approach.
9. 🔗 Outro: Additional Resources and Content
- Full article and recipe along with bonus content and newsletter available for free on Patreon.
- Subscribe to YouTube channel and alternate channel Kenji Lopez for more content.
- Follow on Instagram at Kenji Lopez for daily updates.
- Signed and personalized copies of books available: The Food Lab, The Wok, and Every Night is Pizza Night, shipped from Book Larder in Seattle.
- Links to all tools used in the video are in the description.